Man handed life sentence for defiling 10-year-old in Eldoret

An Eldoret court has sentenced a 21-year-old man to life imprisonment for defiling a 10-year-old boy in an incident reported in September 2025.

Eldoret Principal Magistrate Caroline Wattimah found David Zakayo Ahilo guilty after the prosecution presented seven witnesses and established the case beyond reasonable doubt.

Court proceedings revealed that Ahilo lured the Grade Five pupil to his rental house in Teleview Estate with a Ksh10 mandazi before sexually assaulting him and warning him against disclosing the incident.

The court heard that the victim continues to experience physical and psychological effects of the assault, including chronic stomach pains, emotional distress and declining academic performance. A victim impact report also highlighted alleged stigma and taunting from classmates.

In sentencing, Magistrate Wattimah cited the trauma suffered by the child and the extent of the harm caused. Ahilo, who was unrepresented, asked the court to consider the time he had spent in remand.